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Arsenal to open talks for £35m winger soon

Arsenal are reportedly set to open transfer talks with Club Brugge for Christos Tzolis soon, but they’re yet to do so at this stage.

Christos Tzolis of Club Brugge in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Club Brugge KV and AS Monaco at Jan Breydelstadion on September 18, 2025 in Bruges, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Multiple Belgian outlets have confirmed that whilst Arsenal have previously made initial exploratory contact with Club Brugge over a potential move for Christos Tzolis, formal negotiations are yet to begin.

Tomas Taecke reported for HLN on Tuesday that Arsenal have been in contact with Brugge over Tzolis, holding at least one club-to-club conversation. But they’re yet to submit a bid for the player.

Valerie van Avermaet confirmed for Nieuwsblad that Arsenal are the only club to have held talks with Brugge at this stage, but for now, there are no real negotiations or offers. The Gunners have reportedly also made no official contract proposal to Tzolis.

Van Avermaet does add that it’s true that Arsenal are Tzolis’ preferred desination, and that he’s an option for the Gunners following Leandro Trossard’s exit to Besiktas. Also, that it’s expected that talks with interested clubs will intensify in the coming days.

Christos Tzolis of Club Brugge in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Atalanta BC and Club Brugge KV at Stadio di Bergamo on September 30, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images

Fabrizio Romano confirms that Tzolis is only interested in Arsenal, turning down approaches from other clubs. Romano claims Tzolis has given his assent to a verbal proposal on personal terms, and it’s up to the Gunners to decide whether to progress their interest.

But Romano believes club-to-club talks will begin soon, and that Tzolis is seen as the ideal candidate to replace Trossard.

Ben Jacobs claims that Tzolis has informed Arsenal he wants to join, and that club talks are set to accelerate. Brugge are willing to sell, with the player to cost £30-35m depending on the structure of the deal.

Kostas Tsimikas of Greece celebrates with teammate Christos Tzolis after scoring the 0-1 goal during the international friendly match between Sweden and Greece at Strawberry Arena on June 4, 2026 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images

Tzolis admitted earlier this year that he’d like to join Arsenal, telling the media: “My future club? Haha, I don’t know! I hope that they (Arsenal) come for me. But honestly, I don’t know. If Arsenal come, it would be a privilege for every player to play for [them].”

The 24-year-old had an excellent season with Club Brugge in 2025/26, scoring 17 goals and assisting 23 in league football alone.

In all competitions, he racked up 51 goal contributions in 52 games, including five goal contributions in Champions League qualifiers and a further three in the competition proper.

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Arsenal Stadium on April 15, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
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